2022 Volvo XC90 vs 2022 Hyundai Tucson

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson was built on a new platform, offering a long-wheelbase model in the U.S. with two rows of seating and an expanded cargo area. Its front design featured Hyundai's new vehicle face, with a parametric grille that cleverly concealed LED daytime running lights, Bi-LED headlights, and LED front turn signals. When lit, these lights formed a distinctive shape reminiscent of the Aztec Spirit Bird's wings. The Tucson's side profile borrowed design elements from the Hyundai Elantra, including a silver D-pillar that created a floating roof effect. At the rear, the Tucson sported LED-illuminated toothy taillights, except for the base model, which contributed to its standout appearance among compact SUVs. The Tucson rode on 17- or 19-inch wheels, depending on the trim, with high-end models featuring premium fascias, skid plates, and a panoramic sunroof. The interior was well-appointed, with stain- and odor-resistant cloth seats, and a spacious, uncluttered dashboard design.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 marked a departure from Volvo's boxy past, embracing a more upscale, luxury-oriented image. Built on the Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) platform, the XC90 boasted a sleek and athletic profile, with a long roofline and pronounced wheel arches. Its design paid homage to Volvo's heritage with features like the "Thor's Hammer" LED headlights. Inside, the XC90 exuded "Scandinavian Modern" and "Swedish Luxury," with natural wood and metal trim, a sliding wood tambor cover on the center console, and a clear crystal gear selector handle. Volvo's commitment to sustainability was evident, with options for Nappa leather or a tailored wool blend upholstery. The XC90's interior was a testament to luxury, offering a refined and comfortable experience.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson offered two powertrain options: a 2.5-liter direct-injected four-cylinder engine and a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder hybrid engine. The ICE engine produced 187 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque, while the hybrid delivered a combined 226 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The hybrid powertrain was notably more powerful than competitors like the Ford Escape Hybrid, Honda CR-V Hybrid, and Toyota RAV4 Hybrid. The Tucson's hybrid model was also more fuel-efficient, achieving 37 mpg in the city, 36 mpg on the highway, and 37 mpg combined. The Tucson PHEV, with a 13.8-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery, offered an estimated 261 horsepower and 224 pound-feet of torque, making it the most powerful in the lineup. The Tucson's AWD system performed admirably in off-road testing, similar to Subaru's reactive AWD system.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 provided three powertrain choices: the T5 with a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine, the T6 with a supercharged and turbocharged version, and the T8 plug-in hybrid. The T5 produced 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, while the T6 offered 316 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. The T8 combined gasoline and electric sources for a total of 455 horsepower and 523 pound-feet of torque. The XC90's T8 model achieved 27 mpg combined on gas and 55 MPGe with an 18-mile EV range. The extended range variant offered 26 mpg combined gasoline rating, 66 MPGe, and up to 36 miles of EV range. The XC90's driving experience was impressive, with minimal body roll and spirited acceleration, thanks to the electric motor's early torque delivery.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson, a budget-friendly compact SUV, offered a well-appointed interior that rivaled its competitors like the Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, and Nissan Rogue. It featured a six-way power-adjustable driver's seat, with an eight-way version available on higher trims. The Tucson's spacious cabin provided ample room for passengers and cargo, with more passenger volume than the CR-V, RAV4, and Escape. Its 74.8 cubic-foot cargo area was comparable to the Forester, RAV4, and CR-V, and it featured a 60-40 split-folding rear seat with a dual-level cargo floor on ICE models.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 offered six-passenger and seven-passenger configurations, with easy access to the third row. While the third row was suitable for children, adults might find it lacking in legroom and thigh support. The XC90 provided 15.9 cubic feet of luggage space behind the third row, expanding to 41.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and up to 85.7 cubic feet with both rows down. The XC90's interior was designed for family comfort, with ample storage, supportive seating, and a standard laminated panoramic moonroof. The air-conditioning system performed admirably during a heat wave, ensuring a comfortable cabin environment.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson came equipped with an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and a six-speaker audio system. Higher trims offered a 10.25-inch touchscreen, though it required wired connections for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Tucson's tech features included a digital instrument cluster, satellite radio, Blue Link mobile app compatibility, and dual-zone automatic climate control. The touchpoints on the center console were responsive, but the narrow steering wheel controls were less user-friendly.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 featured the Sensus infotainment system with a nine-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen. While intuitive, the system was occasionally glitchy. The XC90 offered Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel for easy customization. The Advanced package included a head-up display, 360-degree camera system, and advanced air cleaner. The XC90's audio options included a standard Harman Kardon system and an optional Bowers & Wilkins upgrade. The SUV provided USB ports for device charging and a WiFi hotspot with a trial subscription.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson featured the Hyundai SmartSense Safety Feature suite, including forward collision-avoidance assist, lane-keep assist, and automatic high beams. Additional safety options included blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, and a surround-view camera system. Hyundai offered a comprehensive warranty package, including a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain limited warranty.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 continued Volvo's commitment to safety with features like blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and adaptive cruise control. The Pilot Assist system provided assisted driving capabilities on highways. The XC90 received the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ designation and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.